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I have used TSP product found at ACE hardware stores. This
product cleans very nicely. Just follow the directions on the
package. It removed 40 years of nicotine buildup and stains in
a home that we purchased.
Candi
editor's note: For more on Cleaning Nicotine Stains, please click here or check out the discussion in The Dollar Stretcher Community.
We don't ever pay for a Christmas tree, and yet every year we get a picture-perfect tree. Our community has a "tree dump" where you take your trees to be chipped and laid down on nature trails in our area after the holidays. We go to that lot a few days before Christmas and pick out a lovely tree!
There are always beautiful trees left there before "the big day" by people who decorated after Thanksgiving, but who are traveling for Christmas and don't want to leave the tree in their home, so they discard it early. Our family has a theory that the reason the most beautiful trees are thrown away before Christmas is because people with enough money to travel also have enough money to buy the prettiest trees!
If you're too embarrassed to gather up a free tree from the
tree dump, you can also keep your ears out for friends who
mention that they're going away for the holidays. Ask them if
they would like you to take their tree down for them in the
busy few days before the holidays and "get rid of it" for
them.
Patty & family in Minnesota
My family and I are moving around 900 miles away at the end of December. When I last moved, I rented a U-Haul truck. I reserved it long in advance and kept calling the manager of the branch where I reserved it to see if I still had the best price. I managed to lower the price by $400 just with these regular calls.
This time, I tried the same thing, but all the companies were not budging in price. I called U-Haul, Penske, etc. When I was on the phone with the Penske representative, I was amazed at how high the prices were. I asked her repeatedly if that was really the best price she could give me. She said that it was and was pressuring me to make the reservation. She said that if I didn't reserve now, the price might double or even triple. (Which I thought was ridiculous.)
She then asked me if I really had any other option than to book a reservation with them! Then my grand idea struck. I said, "Yes, I have another option. I can buy one and sell it again when I get to my destination. Then my move will have cost me nothing but gas!"
In the end, I decided not to buy a moving truck, but one of
the vehicles we were moving with us anyway was a truck with a
towing package. So, I looked into buying a utility trailer.
That is a trailer with no roof. It usually just has wood
boards on the floor and metal sides. I found one that was a
year old. It is 14' long and 5' wide. I bought it for $600. If
bought new, they are $1300. When you consider that a 14-foot
moving van would have cost me $1500 plus gas, this is an
amazing savings. When we get to our destination, I will sell
the trailer and our move will be for only the price of gas.
Take that Penske!
Milaina L. in Chatsworth, CA
I found the cure for my kids asking what is for lunch at
school, what time is the party, or what to bring to a church
function. We have a three-ring notebook with plastic page
covers. School calendars, sport schedules, and event flyers
and invitations are posted in the notebook. The kids can go to
the notebook to find the answer to all of their questions and
my refrigerator is clear of all the notes.
Jayne I.
editor's note: Want to save your family time and money? Then subscribe to Dollar Stretcher for Parents, a free weekly ezine devoted to helping you make ends meet during a very challenging time of your life. From cradle to college, we'll provide you with time- and money-saving tips for families with children
This Thanksgiving and Christmas don't throw out your turkey
breast bone and your ham bone. You can make turkey soup and
split pea soup from them.
Elaine E.
Last year I recorded a CD for each one of my children. It began with the day I found out I was pregnant and it continued on with each stage of their life. It included the way I felt when I first saw them after they were born, who came to see them at the hospital, where we lived, first teeth, first haircuts, first steps, first days of school, friends, grandparents names and where they lived, special relatives and favorite pets. Then there were the first dates, high school games and accomplishments, graduations, marriages, etc.
Each one of my four adult children, sons included, cried when
they heard their special story. They loved it. I ended each
story thanking them for the love they share with me every day.
They are and always will be the joy of my life.
JoAnne in Martinsburg, WV
I've never had much luck with the magnetic key holders that
are stuck to the underside of the car. When I needed the key,
it wasn't there. My father's solution was to have a spare key
made, drill the hole bigger and screw it underneath the
license plate. We used a quarter to tighten the screw. When we
inadvertently left the keys at a friend's house after
carpooling, we used a coin to retrieve our key and were on our
way. If your car uses a key that has a chip in it, you may
need to use a washer or two on the other screw to create some
space between the license plate and the plate holder.
BF
I use baking soda followed by a little bit of white vinegar
poured on top as a pre-soak for cleaning pots/pans and
bakeware with stubborn stains. If the baking soda/vinegar
combo is slow to work, put the pan over a very low heat on the
stove for about 15 minutes and this will increase the cleaning
power.
Mary H.
Sometimes I don't wrap the whole gift. For example, for a
remote-control car, I'll just wrap the remote. Then I'll
include a note with directions to find the gift hidden
somewhere in the house. This works for new TVs and stereos,
snow tires (wrap a scraper), sports equipment, kitchen
equipment (wrap a wooden spoon), and, of course, tickets to a
show or trip. The treasure hunt is part of the fun!
Evelyn S.
editor's note: For more ideas for the holidays, please click here.
I've been looking at programmable thermostats but can't fit
one into the budget just yet, so I made my own. I took a
business envelope and wrote "HEAT and ELEC" on one end. I
tucked it into my mail holder by the door, so it's the last
thing I see when I leave the house. It reminds me to turn down
the thermostat and turn off the powerstrips, which run my
"phantom" electricity hogs like TV, VCR, and computer.
Jessie in SD
I have a young child who absolutely loves children's magazines. At my doctor's office, they have children's magazines (Jack & Jill, Ranger Rick, etc.) but have very few children as clients, so they are very lightly used and always look almost new. I made a deal with his office staff. Instead of throwing away their old children's magazines every month, I go in and get them every month. At the end of a year, I have an entire year's worth of children's magazines.
I give them to my son for his birthday. A spring edition of a
magazine has stories and articles that are appropriate to the
time of year, even though it is last year's spring magazine.
My son absolutely loves this! He likes "reading" them (he
can't read yet) early and getting ideas for crafts and
projects ready for the upcoming season. He gets more joy out
of these magazines than any toy I have ever given him, and
that's the point of gift giving, isn't it? And it doesn't cost
me a cent, while it keeps these magazines out of the local
landfill.
Serena in Ohio
This year we are going to have a house decorating party the
day after Thanksgiving. Instead of a fancy meal and the
expense, I'll make soup from the turkey carcass. We'll be
stretching the holiday cheer and turning this all into a
tradition.
Donna N.
editor's note: For 10 great holiday decorating ideas on a budget, please click here.
Instead of buying an electric blanket, I bought a wool blanket
for $5 at a church sale. I think wool is great; I wash it
gently in my washing machine, it never pills, and it's very
warm. It's only drawback is that it's itchy, so you need to
layer with a sheet. I also use flannel sheets in the winter
and can turn my thermostat down to about 58 degrees. The
actual temperature when I get up in the morning is about 60
degrees.
Margaret P.
Normally at this time of year, I get really sick after a child in our home has been sick with the flu. Since I am the one who cooks, if I get sick, then my dear hubbie orders in pizza or makes a special trip to the store to buy pre-made meals of some kind.
This year I am going to be prepared. I have been making extra
big batches of my family's favorite soups. We eat a meal of it
and freeze the rest. Then on the morning that I notice that I
am sick, I can pull a meal's worth of soup out of the freezer
along with some frozen day old rolls bought on sale. My family
can heat up the soup for supper because it is so easy. No more
take-out when the cook is ill.
Cammy G.
editor's note: For some great tasting, easy soup recipes, please click here.
Always ask your professor first before buying the newest (most
expensive) version of your textbook. The textbook recommended
at the college bookstore was $135. I emailed the professor
before the start of the semester (call the admissions office
for the information). He said that not much has changed in
Physiology, so the first, second or current edition is
completely acceptable! When comparing books in class, the only
difference was the chapter numbers were switched once or
twice. Otherwise, it was identical information. I bought mine
from half.com for ten dollars! Doesn't hurt to ask.
Roch
editor's note: For more ways to save on college textbooks, please click here.
One way I reduce holiday stress is to stock up on items I know we will need to last us through the holiday season, so I can avoid the extra busy shopping areas when traffic is heavy on the roads and in the stores.
I take advantage of sales at my favorite market, but also purchase items I know I will need without waiting for a sale. This also ensures that I get what I need before the demand outruns the supply. I take advantage of $10 90-day generic prescriptions from Target (Wal-Mart has this too), even though my insurance will only count 30-day supplies toward my deductible.
For more perishable items that we need on a weekly basis, like
bread and milk, I go to stores in less congested areas. They
may not be my favorite stores, or have our favorite brands,
and I may have to spend a few more dollars for a couple of
months, but it is well worth my "peace" of mind.
Lorraine in NH
editor's note: Coupons could help you reduce the cost of stocking up. You'll find printable ones here
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